Burning Pain in the Rectum: Causes & Home Remedies

Home remedies for the burning of the rectum can offer great relief to patients suffering from this irritating condition. The most effective home remedies for the burning sensations of the rectum include maintaining good hygiene, eating correct diet, use of aloe vera, hot and cold packs, buttermilk, petroleum jelly, and radish. Other natural treatments include the use of myrrh, white oak, flowers of sulfur, petroleum jelly, lemon juice, mint juice, and honey in various forms and combinations.

What is a rectum?

The rectum is the last straight section of the human colon, which leads to the anal canal. It is the last part of the colon through which fecal matter passes after all the nutrients have been removed and your food has been processed to the anus for excretion. The rectum is approximately 5 inches long and is a key component of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The rectum can often become inflamed and bleed, particularly when someone has anal fissures or even worse, hemorrhoids.

Causes

There are many causes of the burning of the rectum, such as hemorrhoids, proctitis, unhygienic conditions, pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anal fissures, and more. Let us discuss them in detail below.

Hemorrhoids

The main cause of this problem is hemorrhoids in the anus. Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, appear when veins in the anus swell to form wide masses that touch the walls of the rectum. This problem is also accompanied by a number of other unpleasant conditions like bleeding, irritation, itching, pain, and inflammation.

Proctitis

According to Ronald W. Raven, F.R.C.S, proctitis i.e. inflammation of the rectum is one of the key causes of the burning sensation.

Unhygienic Conditions

Not maintaining hygiene around the anus can cause hemorrhoids and lead to the burning sensations of the rectum

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, one may experience these sensations which also go away once the pregnancy period is over.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Diarrhea and constipation can be responsible for the development of these unpleasant masses, as well as excessive or aggressive wiping of the rectal area after bowel movements.

Applying Strain during Bowel Movements

This leads to inflammation of veins of the anus thus causing the unwanted problem.

Spicy and Fatty Foods

Excess intake of spicy and fatty foods is also associated with the burning of the rectum, indigestion, discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting. High intakes of fatty meals can lead to constipation which can further worsen the problem.

Caffeine & Sugar products

These products can also cause burning sensations, especially when consumed in excess.

Other

Bleeding from the bowels can also signal more serious conditions, like an anal fissure or a polyp. Finally, colon cancercan cause significant amounts of blood loss; any experience of bleeding from the rectum should warrant a visit to the doctor.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of the burning of rectum include:

Hemorrhoids

Bleeding

Irritation

Itching

Pain

Inflammation

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Diarrhea

Constipation

Abdominal pain

Nausea

Stomach Disorders

Indigestion

Discomfort

Diarrhea

Vomiting

The good news is that there are many treatments for burning sensations in the rectum that are recommended by the experts, which can save you a visit to the medical expert. However, if an advanced stage of piles has already been reached, you should definitely consult a doctor, and ask him or her about the possibility of using a more aggressive modern treatment in conjunction with some of the traditional, home remedies that have been used for hundreds of years.

Home Remedies

Here are some important home remedies which are useful in treating burning sensations in the rectum and other signs of hemorrhoids.

Mango Seeds

You can dry mango seeds and crush them to make a powder. Patients suffering from burning sensations in their rectum should consume 2 grams of this powder with honey twice a day. This is an effective and common home-based solution for hemorrhoids that have been used for hundreds of years. It works primarily because mangoes have natural anti-inflammatorycomponents in the seeds which become functional when they are crushed.

Coriander Seeds

Coriander seeds are also considered to be effective remedies for piles and various signs and symptoms associated with it. You should soak some coriander seeds in water before sleeping at night and then consume the solution in the morning. Uncomfortable conditions like burning and bleeding of the rectum can be easily treated with this remedy. A study led by Dr. Denys J. Charles suggests that coriander has a wide variety of health benefits, and its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, stomachic, and spasmolytic properties make it a useful defense against piles and rectal burning.

Bayberry

Bayberry has been shown to reduce the size and severity of hemorrhoids, while the other ingredients are all associated with anti-inflammatory or anesthetic/numbing effects. You can prepare a mixture of bayberry, myrrh, white oak, and goldenseal root and use it as an ointment for relieving the pain and burning caused by piles in the rectum. Together, this mixture is ideal for solving your uncomfortable condition.

Over time, constipation and other conditions can cause hemorrhoids, which are inflamed veins on your anus or rectum. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Banana

It has been found that consuming mashed banana with a cup of boiled milk can reduce the burning sensation in the rectum. Potassium is a major component of bananas, and it has been widely studied as a vasodilator, which means that it relaxes blood vessels, leading to less stress and pressure on the veins around the rectum Also, potassium acts as an astringent, which shrinks or tightens body tissues, including the tissue that becomes inflamed during rectal irritation. This boost in potassium has a wealth of health benefits, but its powerful activities in terms of hemorrhoids and rectal burning are certainly some of the best!

Interestingly, banana has both soluble and insoluble fiber content of which soluble fiber dissolves in water and slows digestion. Insoluble fiber promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk, so it can be of benefit to those who struggle with constipation or irregular stools.

Cranberries

You can blend 1 spoon of cranberries and put them inside the cheesecloth. Patients suffering from hemorrhoids can keep this cheesecloth in the rectum and this can relieve the burning sensations and pain caused by piles. Cranberries are vulnerary fruits and known to be anti-inflammatory in nature. They are also prescribed for serious intestinal and stomach disorders because they are effective.

Figs

Use of figs is amongst the most commonly recommended home remedies for burning sensations in the rectum.

You should soak at least 4 figs in the water at night and consume them in the morning. It is better to consume these figs on an empty stomach.

You can also create a decoction from fig leaves and apply that topically to the irritated area externally.

When you do both of these things together, internally and externally, the results show much faster.

Cumin Seeds

Cumin helps to shrink hemorrhoids thereby, reducing the surface area to be irritated and relieving burning sensations.

You can mix the powdered form of cumin seeds with water to form a thick paste. Then, gently apply this paste to the anus to make the area cool and quickly eliminate the burning sensation.

The mixture of roasted and non-roasted cumin seeds, in their ground-up form, can be consumed with water to get relief from this type of burning.

Curd and Buttermilk

As a part of a healthy, high-fiber diet, probiotics can help you ease constipation. And in this way, they may be able to help ease your hemorrhoid pain. Buttermilk has the ability to reduce the temperature of the body and produce a cooling effect. You should consume buttermilk regularly to get rid of the burning sensation felt inside the rectum.

Lemon Juice & Coriander Juice

Lemon juice acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces swelling and irritation while adding mint juice provides a natural soothing and anesthetic effect to relieve the itching and burning sensation.

You can get relief from uncomfortable rectal burning by mixing lemon juice with mint juice and honey and drinking it at least thrice a day.

Also, you can drink coriander juice by mixing sugar (5gms) into it 2 times a day to achieve the same relief.

Hot & Cold Packs

Use of hot and cold packs is a great way to deal with the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids quickly!

You can use hot and cold packs externally to eliminate the feeling of burning caused by piles in the rectum.

You can also sit in a warm tub of water to get some relief from burning.

The alternation of hot and cold is similar to what people suggest after an injury where the spot is swollen or inflamed. The temperature variations usually result in a decrease in swelling as well as enhanced blood flow to the area for healing and cell repair.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel can be applied to the anus through the use of cotton pads to eliminate the burning sensation and other associated signs of piles. It has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, which will reduce the burning sensation in your rectum. Only a small amount of witch hazel is needed, as they can be quite powerful.

Radish

Radishes are rich in fiber, which regulates the bowel movements, stimulates peristaltic motion and secretes digestive juices. This eases the passage of bowel movements, which helps to reduce further exacerbation of your hemorrhoids.

You can consume radishes in their grated form or in the form of juice by adding salt to it.

The paste of this vegetable mixed with milk is also a favorite remedy for hemorrhoids.

Radishes are anemmenagogue (are herbs which stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus), as well as anti-inflammatory agents used for a variety of health conditions.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has been known for its many medicinal properties for centuries. In case of piles and burning sensation in the rectum, you can apply it to the anus externally to reduce the burning sensation.

It also has natural soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities which is why it is so often used for sunburn and other inflammation.

Meenakshi Nagdeve, Co-Founder, Organic Facts is a health and wellness enthusiast and is responsible for managing it. She has completed the Nutrition And Healthy Living Cornell Certificate Program, Cornell University, US. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore and B. Tech in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from IIT Bombay. Prior to this, she worked for a few years in IT and Financial services. An ardent follower of naturopathy, she believes in healing with foods. In her free time, she loves to travel and taste different types of teas.

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